Boris Johnson has postponed mayoral and local elections in England for a year over the coronavirus crisis.
The ballots, scheduled for 7 May, will now take place in May 2021, Downing Street confirmed.
It includes the London mayoral contest.
A Number 10 spokesperson said: "We will bring forward legislation to postpone local, mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections until May next year.
"We will also work with the devolved administrations to ensure that they have the necessary powers to do the same.
Rory Stewart, who is running against incumbent Sadiq Khan, was quick to comment, tweeting: "The right decision. We should now move more rapidly to close gatherings, and schools; extend the isolation period; and restrict non-essential visits to care homes (who have few back up options for patients if they have to close.)"
Lib Dem candidate for London mayor Siobhan Benita said in a statement: "These are unprecedented times which require unprecedented action.
"Nobody would have wished the postponement of these elections in these circumstances. I respect the Government's decision to delay and I will continue to follow the expert advice as the situation progresses."
It comes as cases of the deadly disease surged by 202 on Friday to reach 798 cases nationwide, the biggest daily spike yet.
The Electoral Commission called last Thursday for the local polls to be delayed until the autumn to "mitigate" the impact of the virus amid "growing risks" to the successful functioning of the democratic process.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Government's top health officials said on Thursday that the virus could reach its peak in 10-14 weeks time.
